The last of seven defendants was sentenced this past week for the 2017 hanging and murder of David Steele, as announced by the District Attorney’s Office.

In a statement released by District Attorney General Craig Northcott, Miguel Antwain Sanders, 52, was convicted of the murder of Steele on Wednesday, July 15. Sanders pled guilty to second-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, coercion of a witness, and tampering with evidence. Per Northcott, Sanders was sentenced to 28 years at a 100% service rate, meaning he will not be eligible for parole or any reduction of his sentence.

“Sanders was the last of seven defendants convicted for their role in the murder and other crimes surrounding the murder,” Northcott said in a statement. “All defendants were sentenced to meaningful prison terms.”

The events leading to the murder of Steele started at his home in Tullahoma on Oct. 2, 2017, where Steele was assaulted and then shot in the lower leg.

“This gunshot wound was not fatal,” Northcott said as he went over the crime. “However, instead of calling for an ambulance or taking Steele to the hospital, Sanders and two other people took him to a wooded location in Franklin County where they hanged Steele to death.”

Northcott praised the Steele family for demonstrating “amazing resolve, patience, grace and mercy” through the nearly decade-long process, and thanked them for their trust and kindness to his office.

“Their Christian faith was consistently demonstrated throughout the difficult ordeal that included multiple court hearings, a multi-day trial and many heart-wrenching discussions and decisions,” Northcott said. “Everyone in this office was humbled to be trusted by them with the important task of bringing each defendant to justice.”

The State of Tennessee was represented by Northcott and Assistant District Attorney Michael Hibdon. Northcott also praised Victim Assistance Coordinator Smita Patel for her role in the process.

Then Tullahoma Police Department investigator and now Moore County Sheriff Tyler Hatfield and Todd Hindman (retired) of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office were the lead investigators in the case.

“They worked tirelessly to follow countless leads in this complex investigation,” Northcott said.

Investigators James Sherrill and Jason Williams with the District Attorney’s Office would later join and contribute to the investigation in locating witnesses and helping in many other ways to prepare this matter for trial. Northcott said the firearm, fingerprint, DNA, and cell phone data analysis done by technicians with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, who he said were vital in the prosecution.

“Thank you to all who helped to find justice for David Steele, who was a loved father, son and friend and was taken violently and senselessly from his loved ones,” Northcott said. “Please pray for continued healing for the Steele family.”